100 NI jobs for Japanese owned firm

The firm is investing £32m in new machinery for its Co Antrim plant, which manufactures aluminium die casting products for the European automotive market.Ryobi Limited's Chairman Hiroshi Urakami travelled from Japan for the investment announcement.He said: "Ryobi Group is a global leader in specialist die casting technology and we are confident our workforce at Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK), Limited can help us maintain that position in Europe."Over the years we have received excellent support from Invest NI and we consider them to be an important partner in our ongoing development and growth in Northern Ireland."The major investment is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland, which has offered over £2m of assistance, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.First Minister Peter Robinson said: "I welcome today's £32million investment creating 100 new jobs in Ryobi Limited who are at the forefront of die casting technology."Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK), Limited is one of Northern Ireland's longest established inward investors and this latest investment in its only European plant, is a further indication of its commitment to Northern Ireland. Today's announcement reinforces the growing global appeal that we have as a great place in which to invest and to grow your business."We met with Chairman Hirsoshi Urakami and President Akira Urakami in December as part of our business mission to Japan, to discuss this project. I welcome this opportunity to thank Ryobi for its further investment in Northern Ireland and to assure the company of our continued support."Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said that the announcement will bring the total employed in Ryobi Limited to 386 delivering over £2m a year to the local economy."In December we met Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, Ryobi Chairman, Hirsoshi Urakami and Ryobi President, Akira Urakami. These high level meetings provided the platform for us to strengthen government to government relations and attract inward investment. This £32million investment by Ryobi Aluminium Casting Limited presents opportunities for people to earn a living and provide for their families."This latest investment by Ryobi Limited follows a £900,000 investment by the company in training also supported by Invest NI demonstrates a commitment to developing our people into a multi-skilled workforce. This investment sends out a clear signal that the north of Ireland is a fantastic location for international businesses."